Paul Biya's close associate and CPDM strongman, Jean Pierre Kedi, has passed away in an accident.

A somber wave swept through the community last Saturday 13.01.2024 with the tragic passing of Jean Pierre Kedi, the former Director General of the Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEL). The seasoned official met his untimely demise in a road accident at Balamba, along the Bafia-Yaoundé axis.

Hailing from Ombessa in the Centre region and the Mbam-et-Inoubou department, Jean Pierre Kedi, who also held the position of Secretary General of a ministry, lost his life in a fatal collision between his black Prado and an oncoming dump truck. The impact proved fatal, resulting in the immediate demise of the former Director General, a fact confirmed by the sub-prefect of Ombessa.

Appointed to lead ARSEL in September 2010, Kedi stepped down from his position in 2019 after nine years, in compliance with the law. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Water and Energy, the outgoing DG cited the July 12, 2017 law and the provisions of laws 2017/010 and 2017/011 regarding the status of public enterprises and public establishments.

His departure from ARSEL was marked by an implicit call for the resignation of the Board Chairman and Deputy General Manager, a rare move in a country where the culture of resignation is uncommon. Jean Pierre Kedi, a man of character, left an indelible mark on the electricity sector in Cameroon.

Beyond his professional career, his premature departure is a significant loss for the nation, highlighting the fragility of life and prompting reflections on road safety. Tributes pour in, honoring his contributions and expressing the sorrow of a community mourning the loss of a respected leader. An investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident is underway.